Sterling Velocity Sharma Standard Climbing Rope - 9.8mm

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Climb hard with Sharma tied into your harness.

When Chris Sharma goes climbing, he takes a Sterling Velocity Sharma 9.8mm Rope (which has a custom pattern on it that he designed), some shoes, pro, a bunch of chalk, and a good buddy to belay him while he nails another 5.15. The Velocity has a stiff feel for smooth clipping and reduced drag and, with the revamped core and sheath construction, this rope remains light can still take a beating on the wall.

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Middle of the road

My climbing partner has this rope and together we've put weeks on this rope from when he got it brand new. After about two months of consistent use it is getting more frayed than other ropes I've used. Not to the point of danger, but enough to make me question the overall durability of the rope. If you're in the market for a new rope, I'd look at some Mammut or Beals. Just not impressed.

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Reliable sport/trad climbing rope!

Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

My climbing partner has had this rope since the past summer and I have grown quite fond of it. The rope packs easy and with proper care It looks like it could last a couple more summers. The rope is easily climbed on several times a week when weather permits, and it is still in awesome shape. The rope is light compared to some ropes which makes long approaches no big deal. For those that want to make their rope last longer I highly recommend a rope bag such as Black Diamond's super chute. The rasta color rope is also very dope!

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This rope is the pits!!!!!

Familiarity: I've used it several times

I had been using a rope that was way too old and starting to twist underneath the sheath, so I went shopping read some good reviews and thought I was making a good choice on this rope...wrong! This thing is horrible!! I just started climbing last year and I was using a rope that was at least 20 years old that my irresponsible uncle gave to me because I told him I was interested in climbing. Long story short I was able to lead routes in the dacks and top rope and lead at my local sport crag through multi seasonal use and the Sterling Sharma held up for 3 visits to my local crag. I set my anchors and belay so there is no drag and I can watch this rope start to bust at the sheath during one short top rope climb while belaying. I am paranoid about rope drag too soo... Definitely not a good rope for the money. It does attract insects as well.

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Not crazy about durability vs. price

Familiarity: I've used it several times

I have always been a huge Mammut and Beal rope fan. I decided to TRY a Sterling for the 1st time - mainly b/c I really liked the color and pattern - and heard Sterling had a good reputation. 1st - I am no longer a fan of ropes LESS than at least a 10.2 - 10.5, even 11mm. While lighter, I think one gives up something when it comes to durability, sheath and/or core thickness = hence durability. My rope gut shreadded to the core when top roping (very careful rigging to avoid abrasion) when my Mammut 10.5 has taken a beating, and then some, and still looks great, and cost me $40 LESS than the Sterling. I personally won't buy another one.

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Great Rope

Familiarity: I've used it several times

This rope is a great rope. I personally love it. Its easy to clip, not super stiff but stiff enough. If you are looking for a great rope to use leading, rappelling, and everything in between I recommend this rope

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Rope Review

Great rope for sport climbing. Went for a few rides on this rope and stretches nicely. Wouldn't reccomend top roping frequently on it cause there is a lot of stretch. Definetly a recommened item to a sport climber

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This rope has one of (if not the lowest) dynamic elongations of any rope on the market at 26.4%. Most ropes I've looked at are in the 30-36% range. You're in for a world of surprise if you think this rope stretches a lot.

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Sterling Velocity Sharma Rope- 9.8mm

I had some concerns, this being my first rope, and a 9.8mm. However, as soon as I used it, I was in love with it. It is very light and easy to clip. I was so used to a 10.2mm, that the 9.8mm felt like nothing. It is also very smooth to clip in during lead climbs. I would recommend this to anyone if they are looking for a great first rope.

Answer David C.'s Question

Directly from Sterling's website: "Sterling Rope spent years researching and testing various coatings and processes to greatly improve our rope dry treatment. The result was the development of DryCoat?, our own proprietary coating and dry process. Studies have shown that wet ropes are more difficult to handle, elongation increases and their performance can change dramatically. DryCoat protects the rope from water absorption, keeping your rope strong, eliminating weight increase, the risk of freezing, and slowing the wear of rope considerably. In conventional ropes, it is usually only the sheath fibers that are dry-treated. Sterling Dry Ropes not only have a superior coating on the sheath, but also have DryCore standard on all its cores, reducing the ropes natural inclination to absorb moisture to greater levels. Sterling?s Arid system ensures a more effective and durable water resistance, while improving handling, resistance to friction, dirt, and durability."

Answer james's Question

For example, a rope that is rated for 8.8kN of force can hold about 900kg (1980lbs) if and only if the weight is not moving. If the 900kg object were to be falling the force would exceed 8.8kN and break. This is because the force would increase due to the short stopping time at the end of the rope. Below I showed how I got the 900kg weight, remember that it is assumed the object is suspended by the rope and not moving.

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The maximum impact force required to break the rope on a first fall is not specified. However, Sterling's "Guide to Rope Engineering, Design, and Use (Volume 1)" states: "There are no document cases of a rope breaking under "normal use"." They do indicate that ropes can be damaged by chemical exposure or by being cut.

The 8.8kN impact force specification is derived from a UIAA 101 drop test. A 80kg weight is dropped about 4.8M. The specification only measures the maximum force this weight generated on the rope during the first drop test of a new rope. It does not directly measure the force required to break the rope. The drop test is repeated until the rope breaks. The maximum impact force is not measured on subsequent drops. The UIAA falls specification indicates how many falls the rope withstood before breaking. That would be six for this rope. A new rope can obviously support larger weights. If tested, a slightly larger impact force and dynamic elongation would be measured. Note the drop test simulates a factor 1.7 fall (A fall onto the anchor on a multi-pitch climb). If you are enormous and leading a multi-pitch climb with a hairy run-out after the anchor, just lower the belay. Bail off the route if you keep falling on the anchor. The rope will not break as long as you maintain it and retire it if it is overly worn or old.

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Just in response to the above comment. Not all Sterling ropes have a mark in the middle. My Kosmos Evolution VR10 (I believe is the model) certainly does not, nor do many of the other Sterlings my friends have. Sorry